Door closing device



April 14, 1936. c F FAY 2,037,411

- DOOR LOSING DEVICE I Fi'ed May 15, 1955 Cjzasl Fay ATI'ORN-EY.

Patented Apr. 14,1936

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,037,411 DOOR CLOSING DEVICE Charles F. Fay, Earlimart, Calif.

Application May 15, 1935, Serial No. 21,512

3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to a door closing device and is directed particularly and specifically to a spring actuated door closing mechanism.

Most door closing devices which are now sold on the market require that screws be employed to hold the mechanism in place and in many instances these devices are relatively large and cumbersome as well as expensive, and frequently the holding screws tear loose.

If it is ever desired to remove such a device from the door, unsightly screw holes will remain.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a door closing device which requires no screws or bolts to hold the same in place and which is supported by a pin readily substituted in place of one of the removable hinge pins of the door.

An additional object of my invention is to provide a door closing device which will close the door and cause the same to latch without slamming the door.

My improved door closing views Figure 1 is an elevation illustrating my door closing device as installed on a door.

Figure 2 is a top view of the device as installed on a door illustrating in dotted lines the relative position of the parts of the device when the door is open.

Figure 3 is a View of the hinge pin and spring support detached.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawing, the numeral I denotes a door hinged at 2 to a casing 3. Replacing the usual hinge pin is a combination hinge and spring supporting pin comprising a shank 4, a right angle offset 5, and an upstanding finger 6 parallel to the shank.

Non-rotatably mounted on the finger 6 is a toulgh but resilient cylindrical rubber core 'I. Tightly wound about this rubber core 'I is a helical torsion spring 8 of relatively heavy spring steel wire.

spring 8 projects from each endof the spring in opposite directions to form horizontal straight arms 9 and IO respectively.

Formed on the outer end of the arm 9 at right angles thereto is a downwardly extending casing engaging finger II. The lower end of this finger is formed with a horizontal extension I2 projecting in the direction of the hinge 2.

The outer end of the arm III is also provided with a finger I3 which extends upwardly from the arm III and at right angles thereto.

The finger Il and horizontal extension I2 as well as the finger I3 are encased in rubber sleeves III and I5 respectively.

To install my improved door closing device, one of the hinge pins is removed and the shank 4 of combination hinge and supporting pin inserted in its place with the finger positioned outwardly of the hinge as illustrated in Figure 2. With the pin thus in position the fingers and rubber sleeves of the arms 9 and I Il will firmly engage against the surface of the casing and door respectively due to the fact that the spring 8 is under some tension when the arms are substantially 180 apart and is wound to exert a torque in a door closing direction. Also, on account of the offset finger, the spring itself never rubs against the door or casing.

In operation, when the door I is opened the arm III is moved forward in a direction to increase the torque of the spring 8 and theshank 4 tends to rotate Within the hinge, thus moving the entire assembly to the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2. It is therefore impossible for the door to contact the spring at any time, even when fully open.

When the door is open and the spring 8 exerting greater torque, the diameter of the spring decreases. The use of the rubber core allows this decrease in size of the spring to takeiplaee as well as providing a permanent close fitting mounting for the spring. Squeaks or rattling noises in operation are therefore avoided.

The rubber sleeves I 4 and I5 of course prevent any Scratching or injury to the contacted surface of the casing and door while the horizontal extension I2 holds the entire arm and spring structure from tilting forward under the influence of the spring.

In manufacture, the spring 8 may be made to exert different pressures according to the particular type of door upon which the device is to be used.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A closing device for a hinged door comprising a pin adapted to replace one of the hinge pins and" to extend beyond the hinge, a resilient core mounted on the extended portion of the pin, a torsion spring wound about the core, and opposed arms projecting from opposite ends of the spring and engaging the door and its casing respectively; said spring being coiled to exert a door closing torque.

2. A closing device for a hinged door comprising a pin adapted to replace one of the hinge pins and to extend beyond the hinge, said extended portion being forwardly offset, a torsion spring mounted on the extended portion of the pin, opposed arms projecting from opposite ends of the spring and engaging the door and its casing respectively; said spring being coiled to exert a door closing torque.

3. A closing device for a hinged door comprising a pin adapted to replace one of the hinge pins and to extend beyond and in forwardly offset relation to the hinge, a resilient core mounted on the extended portion of the pin, a torsion spring wound about the core, and opposed arms projecting from opposite ends of the spring and engaging the door and its casing respectively; said spring* being coiled to exert a door closing torque.

CHARLES F. FAY. 

